Project Leadership

This document discusses the key characteristics of a project leader and how they contribute to the success of a project. It covers topics such as effective communication, shared vision, team management, delegation, creativity, honesty, and focus on goals. The document also explores the challenges faced by project leaders with less authority and provides insights on the democratic leadership style.

PROJECT LEADERSHIP

Table of Contents:
Portfolio entry 1...............................................................................................................................3
Portfolio entry 2...............................................................................................................................4
Portfolio entry 3...............................................................................................................................6
Portfolio entry 4:..............................................................................................................................8
Portfolio entry 5...............................................................................................................................9
Reference list.................................................................................................................................12

Portfolio entry 1
The completion of a project must always be effective and efficient, and this efficiency highly
depends on the project leader. He is the one who has specific characteristics that help in every
project every time. The one who is a project leader must possess some key characteristics, and its
pen portrait must include some skills and knowledge including proper allocation of the budget,
excellent results with high-quality service, time management of the project etc. He must have
innovational and creativity qualities in his working. Every project leader must possess the
following characteristics:
Excellent communication: It is the quality of every leader that he must communicate with his
team members effectively. Time spent by the leader in communicating with others helps in the
fair accomplishment of his goals. A successful team leader always has practical communication
skills, which make him understand both internal and external members of his team. These skills
help him to share his mission, values, vision and goals to his members and make them work
according to his needs and demands. It must also have skills to communicate with numerous
departments at the same time so that he can get timely information which can help him in quick
decision-making ability.
Shared vision: A successful leader always knows how to reach his goals. He always has a pre-
plan which can be achieved only by sharing the vision to his team members. A good leader is
always able to share and communicate the vision and project qualities to the members so that
they can help him in the completion of the project. The reason behind sharing the vision is to
make them understand their role and responsibilities in the ascertain task. The contribution of the
project leader is related to making them understand everything clearly to achieve the desired
result of the project.
Team management: Project leader is the one who works towards achieving the excellent result
of the task, and this is possible only with the help of all the team members. The project leader
has keen qualities of team management so that they can work together and cooperate with the
leader. The project leader makes a pre-defined plan, organize their members and resources, direct
them and take the necessary action to eliminate the deviations if any. Hence a project leader

performs every function of the management to make coordination in the working of the team
members. A team leader always keeps a check on the team to show them the right direction.
Delegation: Delegation is also a characteristic of the project leader, which is related to
transferring of responsibility from one person to another, but it must also be done wisely. It must
work towards delegating the responsibility to the one who can take it seriously and work towards
achieving the excellent result of the project. This requires the practical ability of the leader to
make them assure that they have the required capabilities to complete the task and understand
their strengths and weaknesses.
Creativity: This quality is related to adding innovation to work. This is the quality that is found
in every leader as it helps him to make changes in every new project he gets to complete. This
type of quality makes him stand from others and get first mover advantage. He must also
encourage his team members to show creativity and innovation in the task provided to get the
desired result effectively and efficiently. They provide new ideas to the leader and also some
creativity in work to get rewards and recognition among peers. This becomes possible only with
the practical skills of the leader to motivate them and encourage them.
Honesty: Every project leader must be honest towards his work, organization and team
members. This is the quality that helps him to attain truthfulness and to be trustworthy. It is the
important quality of every project leader that helps him to set the target and achieve them due to
his honesty towards his work. They have to make a good relationship not only with internal
factors but also with external factors such as project clients, customers, stakeholders etc. Honesty
helps the leader to focus on the project result and encourage his team members by making trust
and relationship among them.
Focus on goals: To achieve the desired result, the leader must focus on his goals and work with
full efforts and also make their team members work with the same efforts. It is essential for every
leader to be focused on the goals and objectives. A good leader always focuses on doing every
individual work towards the achievement of the task and as a result, attainment of organizational
objectives. It focuses on integrating individual efforts with project efforts to achieve the best
results.

Portfolio entry 2
Most of the projects have to be completed with the help of every team member and with full
creativity. Generally, this is possible only with the help of project leaders who make their
members work towards it. It becomes possible when the leader shows project management in his
working. Project leader always concentrates on making the projects unique, creative, innovative
and completion on time. Every leader makes the work effective only with the help of other
employees and team members. To make the project complete on the time it requires specific
specialized skills, knowledge, techniques, methods and tools which can be applied to every task
of the project. However, sometimes, the leader is not possible to involve other members of the
project. This is due to less authority and more responsibility that makes him involve leadership in
his working.
Every project manager is a kind of project leader in any way (De Roo and Porter, 2016). He
performs all the functions of the leader, which makes him achieve the goals and objectives
effectively and efficiently. These functions include planning, organizing, staffing, directing and
controlling, which makes him complete the task. When the leader has less authority and more
responsibility, he finds out the requirement of the project and also analyzes the needs of the
project. After understanding the goals, the leader focus on delegating the responsibility to
subordinates so that the task can be completed with no issues. However, it can be less effective if
the subordinate does not take it seriously or lack its key points. Less authority makes him feel
dissatisfaction and carelessness towards the work. This acts as a limitation for the leader and also
creates some constraints for him. These constraints can be related to resources, time, cost, risk
and quality of the project — lack of authority results in less interest and less
management(DuBrin, 2015).
Cost: The project leader has to complete the project in the budget allocated. He always tries to
complete the task within the budget and marinating a balance between his budget and expenses.
However, lack of authority results in no control on cost and due to more responsibility more
expenditure on the project. This acts as a constraint many times for the leader having less
authority as compared to responsibility(Gilal et al. 2016).
Quality: The quality of the project lies in the hands of the leader. If he has full authority, he can
make the members work according to him. Lack of authority always results in less control on the

team members and bad results (Grint et al. 2016). Quality of the project requires effective control
on the members with due responsibility of each member. This can be achieved by delegating the
responsibility of each member of the team.
Scope: The scope of the project is related to the desired results of the project. The authority that
lies in the hands of the leader helps him to provide direction to the leaders to work towards the
scope of the project. This sometimes becomes hard to achieve when the leader has less authority
than required(Harris et al. 2016).
Resources: The project manager has all the authority to use the resources as per its requirements.
When he is not able to do so, he has to show leadership in his characteristics. This is possible by
delegating the authority he has to other members and make them al work towards the
achievement of the task. They are allowed with limited resources and provided with direction as
per the task and in the limited available resources. This restricts the use of more resources but
requires the leader or manager to show his leadership qualities(Jian and Dalisay, 2018).
Risk: There exist many risks in project management. These risks can be associated with time,
cost, quality, resources, scope and goals. The leader always focuses on these risks while working
on a project. The project manager has to manage a particular project by proper planning and to
organize the resources. Many times t happens that he has given less authority and more
responsibility. At that time, he is compelled towards showing his leadership qualities. He
manages the risk by delegation quality. It helps him in minimizing the risks by sharing the
responsibility to his subordinates (Klenke, 2016). Risk can also be eliminated by subdividing the
task to other people. He performs his leadership qualities and delegates the responsibility based
on the skills and knowledge of a particular team member.
Time: Completion of the project effectively on time is the most significant part that every leader
has to perform on his basis. This task can be achieved more quickly if the manager has all the
authorities required for the task. Lack in these authorities can result in the delay of the project
schedule many times(Northhouse, 2018). This also results in an increment in the responsibility of
the manager and propels him to identify his leadership qualities and make them visible while
working with team members.

Portfolio entry 3
1. As per the project is concerned, the leadership style that will suit the best is Democratic
Leadership Style. In the democratic leadership style, every member of the group will be
able to take part in the decision making the process. Democratic leadership style will be
allowed to share their ideas freely (Aga et al. 2016). Also, there will be a sense of
equality among the team, and every task and project will be completed with efficiency
and effectiveness.
2. The democratic leadership style will quit the role of the project team leader because
through this, the team leader will be able to communicate with each team member freely.
Also, due to this leadership style, the leader will also be able to freely communicate with
the employees and inform them about the matters that can affect the project as well as the
team performance. Furthermore, due to the democratic leadership style, the team leader
will also be able to manage the projects efficiently and also there will be several options
and suggestions available from which he can easily choose the best. In the case of the
democratic leadership style, the Project leader will also be able to motivate every team
member equally and accordingly. Most of the time, it happens that the team members
face several problems while working in a particular project as a team. This happens
because of the lack of proper leadership and communication. In the democratic
leadership, the team members will be able to express their thoughts and feelings freely
that will not only enhance their working but also the communication will become more
smooth and robust.
3. In case, the project manager is not good at some point; then it can quickly get strengthen
up by working on it. Due to the democratic leadership style, the project manager will feel
free to communicate with the team members and other persons that are related to the
project. It is not always crucial that only seniors or adults can help a person in
strengthening up the weaknesses. Sometimes the project team members or the co-workers
can also play the role of a teacher very well. The project team leader does not only have
the opportunity to communicate and share the thoughts with the project team members
but also can adapt to other strategies (Antonakis and Day, 2017). There is no age of
learning, and this act applies to every person in every sector. If the Project leader is not

good at a particular point at a particular section, then there is no need to worry about. All
that the project manager needs is a positive attitude towards learning. With the help of a
positive attitude and the democratic leadership style, it will be straightforward for the
leader to learn different aspects and facts he is weak at.
4. Being a project team leader, it is essential to think about the team first. Moreover, here,
the team Project leader is following the democratic leadership style in which all the
project members gets equal opportunity to give their suggestions and take part in the
decisions equally. It is not essential that what the Project leader like the most but the fact
that matters is what is essential for the team and the project? That team leader is required
to think according to the betterment of the project and the team. In case the members of
the team are well skilled in completing some task that the Project leader delegates the
most, then still, the task should be assigned to the skilled team members. If the project
team leader thinks about the betterment of the project, then he will definitely and deliver
the task to the skilled members. Additionally, due to having delegacy regarding the task,
the project manager will also be able to makes the team members understand about
working more accurately and correctly.
5. For a good project leadership, it is essential to favour all the parts equally or according to
their required level. A good project leader is one who takes care of every factor that is
important to take the project towards success. In case the project team leader does not
favour a particular task or favour a particular task at least; then it is essential to ensure
that the particular task should be completed. While working as a project team leader, it is
essential to keep the personal preferences and professional requirements separate. If the
personal preferences of the project team leader and the professional requirements of the
project are separate, then it will not be difficult to assign or complete that particular task.
Every task in a project has its importance and work. To get the best results, it is essential
to understand the importance of the task and complete it accordingly within the deadline
(Aronson, 2018).
Portfolio entry 4:
23rd May 2019
Thursday, 8:00 PM

Several Situations that turned into Ethical Dilemmas:
Hi,
I am writing today because there are several thoughts running in my mind right now. While
working as a project team leader, there are several Incidents that the project team leader faces.
Even, sometimes some incidents turn into ethical dilemmas. While writing up the letter to
himself, the project team mentor stated about the three incidents that turned into ethical
dilemmas. The ethical dilemma is a Situation in which the Project Manager has to choose
between the moral and an immoral act (Davie et al. 2017). While writing the letter, the manager
stated:
There are several issues that I have faced, some of the most difficult issues are:
The first situation was the conflict between the team members.
Sometimes it happens that the team members start arguing on a particular fact, and the argument
becomes so worse that it cannot be solved quickly. Moreover, if both of the parties are correct on
their side, then it becomes so difficult to decide. In such a situation, my decision proved to be
fair from one side, and for the other side, it becomes unfair. It is one of the most common ethical
dilemmas that I usually face while working with the team. In such a situation, it was important
for me take a decision that should be fair for both of the team members (Kerzner and Kerzner,
2017). In case the decision taken by me is not considered as fair by both of the team members,
then it may affect the future working. However, if both consider the decision then and it may
become more comfortable for the team members to continue their task, and it will also help in
handling the future aspects efficiently.
The second issue commonly faced by me is pressure from the management
Sometimes it happens that the authorities (management) take some decisions that are not in
favour of every employee. At that time, it becomes my duty to understand the requirement of the
management as well as the team. The moral values say that being the employee of the
organisation, it is essential for me to understand and obey the rules and guidelines decided by the
management. On the other hand, being the project mentor and handling a democratic leadership,
it is Immoral for me to disregard the requirements and decisions of the team (Schwalbe, 2015).

In such a situation, it is essential for me to understand the requirement of the management and
then to make the management understand the requirement of the team as well. It is essential for
me to find a middle way through which both the parties can be satisfied and also the objective
can be achieved easily. To achieve the goal of the organization, it is essential that the project
team work together, and for that it is my responsibility to maintain excellent communication with
the team member and management.
The third issue that turns into an ethical dilemma is Work vs Family
It is essential for every professional to keep the personal as well as the professional life separate.
However, sometimes it happens that both of the phases got mixed up. In such a situation, the
common issues turn into ethical dilemmas. If the person does not support his family, then it is
considered as Immoral in respect to the personal life, and if the project mentor does not support
the organisation, then it proves to be moral for the professional life or organisation. It is
essential to make a balance between the personal as well as professional life. Being a Project
leader, there are several responsibilities that I need to fulfill. In order to fulfil all the
requirements and responsibilities, the job takes much time (Fleming and Koppelman, 2016).
While giving time to the job, I need to work excessive hours; neglect the spouse, children or
other loved ones, and others. In order to make a balance with the family, also I need to limit the
work that will prove to be Immoral with the job and the project responsibilities.
In such situations, it is essential to balance the work and the family. It is essential to divide the
task or handle the working in such a manner that it gets completed within the timeline. In case
the task is full of responsibilities, and it is essential to give more time to it. In such case, it was
important for me to talk to the family and loved ones regarding it so that it will not create any
immoral situation for them (Larson and Gray, 2017). In case my personal life is not going well,
then it directly or indirectly affects the project. In case the project got affected, then it will not
be suitable for the project team, the organization, the profitability and the objective as well.
Some Other Ethical Dilemma that I have faced are:
Ethical dilemma Methodology for resolution
1 Picking between alternatives with Proficient preparing to settle on best choices

clashing benefits and expenses
2 The estimations of planned
recipients conflict with those of
helpful foundations
Components of cooperation and strengthening to
encourage arranged essential leadership and issue goals
3 Moral clashes apparent inside a
pecking order of ethical
commitments
Agreement around the sacredness of life can fill in as
definitive esteem supplanting moral choking influences
of military, monetary and political interests
Portfolio entry 5
Every project team has to continuously work on practice sessions so that they can show
reflective practice on the future project. This is possible only with the help of an appropriate
system that can encourage the members of the team by suggesting them a change, improvement
and their overall development. This system focuses on providing regular training to them in
various fields so that they can share their problems and can get the required solutions for it.
These sessions will also help them to improve their overall performance and in their
development.
Communication skills: The members of the team must be provided with excellent
communication skills. These skills must be generated by the group leader to make them work
with coordination. These skills are related to trust, support, and openness, respect etc. the team
members must be able to understand each other and must be open to one another. They must
always complete their assigned task with the help of others and must not hesitate from any
support given by others. These skills can make them present their ideas and feelings with
anyone. These are also related to the quality of listening to others with concentration and
understanding them(Priest and Gass, 2017).
Problem-solving assessment: There must be a regular problem-solving assessment for the team
members so that they can put their constraints in the session and can get a better solution for
them. Any misunderstanding or lack of knowledge can prove to be very unusual for the project.
This will help them to practice how they can manage their problems, and they can get rid of them
by raising their issues in regular sessions(Northouse, 2017). This session can also help them by

solving each other's problem and enhance their problem-solving skills. This can prove to be very
helpful in future projects by enhancing their decision-making ability and dealing with conflicts.
Knowledge of roles and responsibilities: Making the members of the team aware about their
roles and responsibility in any kind of project in future can help the project manager to work
them effectively on the role assigned to them. If they have complete knowledge about the
responsibility, they have given they can work according to it and can get some more knowledge
about the role. This will also prove to be beneficial for their development and also improve their
performance in any future project (Velez and Foster, 2016). This can also help them in analyzing
the kind of role they are comfortable with for future projects.
Feedback: Regula feedback from members help the leader to make the working environment
suitable for their needs and comfort level. The environment in which they are working lays a key
role in their performance. Each leader must make the workplace environment according to the
satisfaction level of the members(Tully and Boswell, 2017). Hence proper feedback sessions
must be planned to know their objectives and requirements. It can be in the form of surveys,
sessions or questionnaires. These feedbacks can also be related to suggestions or
recommendations which make them realize their importance in the management and preparing
them to work with more efforts in future projects(Western, 2019).
Managing team process: Team process is related to specific stages of the project that needs to
be performed in a particular series so that each member must know what activity is to be
performed in what order. These activities can help the leader to manage the whole project and
follow the process. Team process always has the same activities and the same orders of the task.
Working in a particular order helps the members to know the stages and help them to perform
the same in upcoming projects(Tabassi et al. 2016).
Evaluating team performance: The team leader must evaluate team performance according to
the time. It improves to be helpful for both leaders as well as members. Evaluation can be done
on the performance of each employee and must be rewarded if it is out of level. Also, some
motivation must be provided to them to perform better than others (Rosenbach, 2018).
Rewarding is also a type of motivation for others who improve their performance to get the

reward next time. These rewards can be in the form of incentives, promotion, peer recognition
and bonus.
Managing team conflicts: Conflicts are a vital part of every organization. However, the rise in
these conflicts can sometimes result in many issues. Hence there must be some efforts by a team
leader to remove these conflicts as soon as possible. There must be regular sessions to solve the
issues that are prevailing in the organization so that it does not affect the performance of the
members. These sessions act as a meeting between the members and make them realise what is
wrong or right. Regular practice of these sessions can be beneficial in avoiding any severe issues
in future(Shamir and Eilam-Shamir, 2018).

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